As expected during National Bourbon Heritage Month, the bourbon news has been pouring in lately.
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience opens today: Officials cut the ribbon yesterday on the latest Diageo investment in Kentucky, the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at the historic Stitzel-Weller property in Louisville. The Stitzel Distillery dates to the late 1800s; the consolidated Stitzel-Weller opened on Derby Day 1935 and was operated by Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle Sr. The Whiskey Experience is also the latest stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour. Starting today, visitors can see Bulleit founder Tom Bulleit’s working office and tour the warehouse where the rickhousing system was invented in 1879, the cooperage and the foyer, which was inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Diageo, which recently announced it would build a $115 million distillery in Shelby County, Ky., also plans to open a bottling line, a finishing center and a small-batch craft still at the site. The Experience is located at 3860 Fitzgerald Road. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the final tour at 2 p.m. (Beginning Sept. 24, the days change to Wednesday through Sunday.) Admission, which includes a tasting, is $10 for adults of legal drinking age.
Wild Turkey Forgiven returns: Forgiven, a 91-proof blend of 78% 6-year-old bourbon and 22% 4-year-old rye that was released as a limited edition last fall, proved popular enough that Wild Turkey plans another release later this year. Forgive me if I push you out of the way at the liquor store for a bottle; as my review revealed, I think this is good stuff.
Angel’s Envy’s share expands: Angel’s Envy, which plans a distillery on Louisville’s Whiskey Row across from Louisville Slugger Field on Main Street, has also filed plans to renovate one warehouse and build two new ones in Shively, where its bourbon will be aged for a minimum of four years.
